I put a couple of diesel swap links on the sticky in the classic motorhome section a couple of years back... Good info in them. I also noticed that wxbouy's factory 345 with 5.9 12v turbo is slung differently to others... Both seem to fit. One is slung low on the side of the block, and Dave's is high, next to the valve covers if I remember correctly. Fitting the 12v seems the best option and there are engine mount conversion kits out there for C/K trucks that should work. Its a common swap and there is plenty of people who have done it. There is a guy on EBay that sells complete 6bt's at reasonable prices.
The Duramax conversion done by the guy in FL doesn't look like it was ever finished based on his blog...

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My name is Steve.... and I am an Alumaholic!
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I put a couple of diesel swap links on the sticky in the classic motorhome section a couple of years back... Good info in them. I also noticed that wxbouy's factory 345 with 5.9 12v turbo is slung differently to others... Both seem to fit. One is slung low on the side of the block, and Dave's is high, next to the valve covers if I remember correctly. Fitting the 12v seems the best option and there are engine mount conversion kits out there for C/K trucks that should work. Its a common swap and there is plenty of people who have done it. There is a guy on EBay that sells complete 6bt's at reasonable prices.
The Duramax conversion done by the guy in FL doesn't look like it was ever finished based on his blog...

Here is an excerpt from his wifes blog detailing their first journey out of Florida up to Maine. Interesting read.
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from → Hindu, Uncategorized
Airstream Odyssey 2012 Ends in Bittersweet Emotion
OCTOBER 4, 2012

A 5,538-mile journey from Key West to Maine and back ended last week with the utterance “worst vacation ever.” However, post-sleep and post-beer reflection shed kindlier light on the experience.

We battled our new engine’s computer system, cursing whomever decided to cut engine power if a sensor detected soot on an emissions filter. There was no soot, as a digital readout indicated on a device Josh bought months ago to retrieve information from that computer. In fact, there was no filter. That filter was part of the exhaust system on the pickup truck in which the engine originally resided. The Airstream (we argue) should not be required to meet modern emissions requirements just as other vehicles of its vintage. As such, we did not install the filter.

Josh test drove the new engine in the Keys over hundreds of miles before he deemed it ready to for a road trip. That sleepy sensor woke up in northern Florida, however, reached out to find a cold, empty pillow where a filter once was and freaked out.

There were several pros to all the cons. First of all, the Space Coast RV Resort welcomed us at the exact place we puttered off the road. Secondly, Josh’s computer-reading device allowed us to clear the error message and drive with full engine power for 5 to ten minutes at a time, before that lonely sensor cried out again. Josh and I had a decision to make as the sun set on the Friday before a long, holiday weekend: Turn back; wait until repair shops reopened on Tuesday; or limp to Maine on US-1. We chose limp, which unveiled a third pro, a scenic drive (and fewer people who flipped us the bird).

The following night in the middle of rural Georgia, we discovered another computer glitch. The fuel gauge was not calibrated to the Airstream’s 80-gallon tank. At that time, Josh and I had worked out a system in which we would clear the error messages, drive like hell until we suddenly could not go above 30 mph, pull over to a complete stop, which the computer required to clear error codes, and so on.

So, perhaps some of you might sympathize when I tell you that I did not realize when performing a routine pull-over that we were not merely slowing down but out of diesel. The generator was on, rumbling away, so I did not immediately conclude the engine was off. I cleared the error messages and attempted to pull back on the road when Josh arose from a cat-nap and said, “Put it in park, we’re rolling backwards down the hill.”

And there I will leave it off. It took me days to write that much since Josh and I continue the struggle to launch our new business and find a way to survive at the same time. I hope by month’s end I will be posting photos of our first PAYING customers!

Now, just make sure the engine adapter plate that is on the back of that beast has the two hollow dowel sleeves in it. One at about 3 and one at about 9 O'clock. Alignment sleeves, super duper critical for happy transmission, manual or AT.

1. Had to run a nylon strap around the engine and through the chain hole on the cherry picker. cummins is 1100lbs / 454 is 750lbs
2. moved the front crossmember forward about 2 inches, but after I located the tranny rear mount, I realized that I probably did not need to move the crossmember.
3. Unforseen obstacles: I had to totally remove the doghouse once the head was on so I could drop the pushrods in. didnt see that one coming. Also, I waited over a month for those stupid motor mounts from ACD engines in SLC, Utah, but they did not work. They are only for the chevy transmission setup as the adapter plate for the chevy has the cummins tilted off to one side. I tried to modify them, but to no avail. So what you see is the mounts I scarfed and modded out of the dodge. I cant say enough about the importance of buying a donor truck for all these little ankle biters.
4. I'm a helicopter pilot by trade, but I grew up on a dairy farm in NY and have been swapping engines and turning wrenches my whole life. I am also an aircraft airframe and powerplant certified mechanic. When I get out of the service, I would love to start getting some diesel certifications just so I could start digging into these cummins engines a little deeper (I.E. inj pumps etc.)
5.original budget was 7k, but I'm estimating 9k in the end with everything. I could have easily kept under 7k if I would have reused some things, but I just could not help it.
6. My goal is 15MPG @ 55MPH. I will turn screws and adjust tranny shift points to try for this goal.
7. That picture is the vacuum control switch that controls the exhaust brake. The big silver cylinder on the right side of the engine is the vacuum cylinder that actuates the brake.

I will be reading all the Halloween stores about how crazy I am for the next how very long this takes.

First step: order adapter, motor mounts, starter.

Want could possibly go wrong? just slide that baby in and fire her up Right

How many miles on it? Good time to pull the timing cover and make sure the Killer dowel pin is locked in place by a retainer. Water pumps are pretty cheap and easy to replace at this stage. I'd also pull the valve covers and adjust the valves. Also easy now. Good to check the lift pump too. The front and rear seals are also easy to replace now. New water pump, lift pump, front and rear seals, belt, would run about $300 in parts.

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